Chelsea Ladies have signed Laura Bassett from Birmingham City.
The centre back is the latest England Women’s player to move FA WSL clubs during the off season, after Manchester City swooped to sign midfielder Jill Scott and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.
Bassett, who captained Birmingham to their first-ever FA Women's Cup triumph in 2012, will join up with the London club for next week’s International Women's Club Championship in Japan.
Bassett's England career
Caps: 34
Goals: 1
Debut: v Italy, 25 Feb 2003
She said: "The move is absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to get started.
"It's great that we've got an opportunity like Japan to get straight in to the action rather than have to wait until pre-season.
"Chelsea is a massive club with a big-club mentality so it is a new challenge for me, which is exciting. The staff and the players are really ambitious here so for me to be part of that is something I am over the moon with.
"This is an exciting chapter in my career and I want to see if I can be part of something successful again with a new club. I want to be part of getting this club where it wants to be."
Blues boss Emma Hayes added: "We're fortunate enough to have signed a wonderful leader in Laura.
"Her wealth of experience will bring Chelsea's performances to another level. We are always interested in good people as well as good players at this football club and Laura certainly fits that profile.
"Bass is a quality defender and we're all looking forward to working with her. The tournament in Japan will be a great way to integrate her in to the group."
